North London Mums is the place for everything of interest to North London Mums and North London Dads. We want to help other parents to find the best activities to do with their families, the best shops and websites to visit, and the most child friendly restaurants to eat in. We believe in supporting local businesses and other mumpreneurs and in building communities.

Rainy day? Best soft plays in North London

Ah soft play - sometimes we love you, sometimes we hate you, but when it rains, weare always really glad that you exist. As it is raining tonight, we bring you a round up of some of our favourite soft play venues. We are pleased to say that in this instance, much of the best provision is actually in local leisure centres. Bored of your regular soft play? Try somewhere new...

This is the largest soft play venue we've visited and purportedly the largest in North London. It's size means there is loads for kids to do and because it is separated into two areas -for older and younger children - older children are likely to find more to do here than at some of the smaller venues. In off peak times they also run activities for children such as playdough and arts and crafts. We weren't so keen on the unhealthy food served here and the fact that it can get very busy and loud.

This is a nice sized soft play venue where kids can play and you can watch them whilst drinking a coffee. There is plenty to entertain kids up to aged eight. We weren't so keen on the tv screens showing music videos blatantly unsuitable for children but otherwise this gets a large thumbs up as an easy place to go and chill out whilst the kids run around.

North London Toddler's favourite soft play venue, is this small cafe and soft play found in Alexandra Park (Muswell Hill end). It's large enough to keep the kids entertained for an hour or more, but small enough so that you can see them from wherever you are sitting and it also serves good food and decent coffee. Even better is that it also has a large outdoor space so that if the weather is good you and the kids can spend time outside too. Of all the soft play venues, this is the most pleasant for parents. Little Dinosaurs are offering a discount to our readers. Monday to Wednesday (up to and including September the 7th) Free kids meal (pasta or sandwich) for entry after 2pm until 5pm when an accompanying adult orders food.

Sobell Safari is a large indoor playground designed for children under 10 years to play in a safe environment. There are three floors of fun including log ramps, ball pits, cargo nets, maze, tunnels and slides. There is a seating area for adults. It can get very busy so best to go outside of peak times if possible. There is no cafe here so do bring your own food or go elsewhere to eat.

A magical, multi-layered soft play centre for children - colourful, exciting, entertaining and educational space, all in one. Designed with children's safety in mind, above all it's great fun.
Treetops is suitable for children from six months to 11 years of age and has dedicated areas for under twos and under fives. The centre also runs parent-toddler gymnastics, and indoor football, tennis and gymnastics for preschool-age children. There is a cafe offering healthy options for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Admission: £3.20 for under 5s, £4.20 for ages 5 – 11, concessions available.

On Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings, this leisure centre runs a very affordable and relaxed soft play session for little people. Mats, slides, ladders and trampolines are laid out and children can roam around safely on the spongy floor trying out new things. There is no cafe here though and vending machines only sell unhealthy snacks so bring food or go elsewhere to eat. Its not luxurious but is good fun for children and not loud or stressful for parents!

This is a members only club so you have to pay £10 to join. Once joined you will find this a pleasant place to come with plenty to entertain kids aged up to twelve and reasonably healthy food. In term time they have some really great free activities like Bake n Take and messy play which are good fun for the kids. For parents there is free wifi and decent coffee.

Did we miss your favourite soft play? Do you know anywhere else we should mention? Do tell us.